Defending champion Luke Littler experienced a surprising first‑round loss at the World Grand Prix, succumbing 2‑1 to fellow Englishman Luke Woodhouse in Leicester. The upset came on the same evening that six‑time champion Michael van Gerwyn was also knocked out, adding extra drama to an already intense opening session.
Littler started strongly, taking the first set after a series of high‑scoring visits. However, his form was far from the fluid brilliance that has characterised his recent rise, and Woodhouse capitalised on several missed doubles to push the opener into a deciding leg.
In that final leg, Woodhouse held his nerve, sealing the set and forcing a tie‑break. The momentum shifted dramatically in the second and third sets.
Woodhouse, playing with confidence and precision, did not give Littler any breathing room. He hit his doubles cleanly and maintained a high average, ultimately winning both sets and delivering one of the most notable upsets in the history of the double‑in, double‑out format of the tournament. As a result, Woodhouse will now meet former finalist Nathan Aspinall in the second round, having previously edged past Kevin Doets in a nail‑biting final‑leg decider on the opening night. Following the defeat, Littler took to Instagram to share his thoughts.
He wrote, "Well played @lukewoodly180 was a good game, good one to be apart of aswell. Both hit, both missed but Luke took his chance and nice week off now, all the best to Luke for rest of tournament." The young star then hinted at his plans for the weekend, expressing a desire to attend the Super League Grand Final in Manchester, where his beloved Warrington Wolves will be playing. "May aswell get myself to OT [Old Trafford] now I'm out.
Let's go the Wire @warringtonrlfc," he added. Woodhouse, reflecting on his victory, praised Littler’s talent while acknowledging that even the best players have off days. "Luke's not a robot.
He's going to have days and weeks and whatever where he's not right on it. But people have echoed it and I'm going to say it again, he's one of a kind, Luke. I hope people will take the time to appreciate how good he is and not give him a hard time.
You might not see another Luke Littler ever again," he said. The night also saw Michael van Gerwyn’s hopes of a seventh Grand Prix title evaporate. The Dutch maestro suffered a third consecutive first‑round exit, losing to Ryan Joyce after Joyce rallied from a set down. The defeat marked a stark contrast to van Gerwyn’s usual dominance and highlighted the depth of competition in the field.
Welsh representatives Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton, the 2020 and 2021 Grand Prix champions respectively, both advanced comfortably. Price delivered a standout performance, averaging 101.61 and dropping only a single leg in his 3‑0 win over Sebastian Bialecki. Clayton, however, faced a stern test from Krzysztof Ratajski, with their match becoming one of six that stretched to the full distance on the opening night. Other notable moments included Cameron Menzies and Kevin Doets each missing match darts in defeats to Ross Smith and Aspinall.
Menzies missed two darts at double‑top before Smith swept him 3‑0 in the deciding set, while Doets squandered three match darts—including a wild miss at the bullseye—before Aspinall clinched a last‑leg victory in the third set. Danny Noppert burst onto the scene, claiming five straight legs to start the evening. His momentum was briefly halted when Niko Springer rallied to take the second set 3‑2, but Noppert recovered to secure the third set and the match.
Meanwhile, Wessel Nijman wrapped up the night with a straightforward 2‑0 win over former world champion Rob Cross, setting up a quarter‑final clash with Jonny Clayton. The second round is scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, followed by quarter‑finals on Friday, semi‑finals on Saturday, and the final on Sunday. Fans can watch live coverage on Sky Sports+ and Sky Sports Main Event from 6 pm on Tuesday, with daily broadcasts continuing through the tournament’s conclusion. In a personal aside, Ross Smith revealed that he nearly withdrew from the World Grand Prix after a recent hospital stay.
"I've had a week from hell," Smith explained after his opening‑round victory. "I came home and picked up some sort of virus and I've had a few issues with my heart as well. I was in hospital on Friday. I thought I was pulling out of this event on Saturday, so to be here is an achievement in itself.
Let alone play and win like that, I'm very happy."